Pitched by Postdoctoral Researcher Tuomo Nissinen from the University of Eastern Finland, 3AWater was announced as the winner of this year’s Tahko Ski Lift Pitch. Founded by a group of researchers, the company’s business idea is to provide on-site analysis of metal concentrations in mining industry waters.
The third Tahko Ski Lift Pitch brought together start-up companies and investors, providing them a platform to meet one another on the skiing centre’s slopes. Growing in popularity, the Tahko Ski Lift Pitch attracted some 250 participants.
The first day of the two-day event provided an opportunity for all 46 start-ups to pitch their idea to a panel of judges. On Friday, start-up entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to investors while riding a ski lift, and out of the six start-ups short-listed for the finals, the Kuopio-based 3AWater was announced as the winner. Afekta, also a company founded by University of Eastern Finland researchers, made it to the top 10 as well.
3AWater offers on-site analysis of metal concentrations in mining industry waters. The main prize was 25,000 euros. Dikaios Oy was selected as the winner of the 200,000 euro funding package offered by Nordea and Fundu.
“Tahko Ski Lift Pitch is clearly evolving into an event that has national significance, and it will be organised also next year. The start-up culture of the Kuopio region has not been on a par with the rest of the country in the past years, but many things seem to be going in the right direction now. The objective is to have increasingly competitive and innovative companies emerge in the region in the future,” Managing Director Silja Huhtiniemi from Kuopio Chamber of Commerce says.
The University of Eastern Finland is one of the main partners of Tahko Ski Lift Pitch. In connection with Tahko Ski Lift Pitch, the university also organised the Health19 seminar focusing on the health and well-being sector.
Angel Investor Jari Osmala has presided over the panel of judges every year.
“The level of start-ups entering the competition has clearly improved, and we are also attracting a growing number of entrepreneurs from outside the North Savo region. This is by no means just a regional event – there were only a few local entrepreneurs among this year's ten finalists,” Osmala says.
According to Osmala, pitching on the ski lift plays a role in the final selection of the winners, especially when there are only small differences between the companies – although the judges have familiarised themselves with the start-ups already in advance.
Press release: Kuopio Chamber of Commerce
For more information, please see: www.tahkoslp.com
